This is the incident everyone has been dreading since the start of the war in Ukraine. The one who could rush NATO into conflict… and tip the world into chaos. A missile hit Polish territory late Tuesday night, killing two. What exactly happened? Who fired? What are the reactions? 20Minutes takes stock of the events of the night.
What happened on Tuesday in Poland and Ukraine?
All day, Ukraine faced heavy fire. In total, Russia launched “about” 100 missiles across Ukraine, mostly targeting critical energy infrastructure for the population. It was in the early afternoon, in the middle of these strikes, that a missile hit the Polish village of Przewodow, located about 70 kilometers north of Lviv, very close to the border. Two Poles died in the explosion. The country announced to raise the alert level of some of its military units in the evening.
The Polish police have formed a blockade prohibiting access to the drop point. NATO and the Pentagon said they were investigating from “press information”, without specifying who was conducting the investigation on the ground. Emergency meetings then followed one another, first in Poland and Hungary, then between the members of the G7 overnight. NATO ambassadors are also due to meet on Wednesday. That of Russia in Poland was summoned for “explanations”.
A Russian or Ukrainian missile?
Poland called for caution above all, as the investigation is just getting started. “An investigation is underway,” said Polish President Andrzej Duda, to determine the origin of the firing of the missile “most likely Russian-made”, saying it was an “isolated” incident. According to three American officials, interviewed by the American agency AP, the missile which fell in Poland was the result of a Ukrainian barrage, which was trying to intercept a Russian missile targeting energy infrastructure. For his part, US President Joe Biden deemed it “improbable” that the missile was launched by Russia.
The Polish presidency has declared that it plans to have recourse to Article 4 of NATO, which indicates that member countries must consult each other if one of them is the victim of a threat to its security or an attack on its its territorial integrity. If the shooting turns out to be Russian, Poland could well appeal to Article 5 of NATO, which provides that an armed attack against a member country is considered an attack against all member countries. It is this article that allows NATO countries to engage in military action.
Who said what?
“I call on all Poles to remain calm in the face of this tragedy. Let’s be considerate. Let’s not be manipulated. We must exercise restraint and caution,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said after an emergency cabinet meeting. After expressing his condolences to the Polish President, Volodymyr Zelensky denounced a “very significant escalation”, and considers that this strike is a “message” from Russia to the G20. “Ukraine, Poland, all of Europe and the world must be fully protected from terrorist Russia,” he added.
“Statements by Polish media and official officials about an alleged fall of Russian missiles near the locality of Przewodow are intentional provocation with the aim of creating an escalation of the situation”, defended the Russian Ministry of Defense on its Telegram account. “Given the stakes, it is logical that we approach the question with the greatest caution”, tempered the Elysée, while Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN, said he was “very concerned” .
“Under the current situation, all parties concerned should remain calm and exercise restraint in order to avoid escalation,” Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a regular press briefing. Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Andrzej Duda of the solidarity of Germany, which “stands alongside” its NATO partner, while Rishi Sunak expressed his “solidarity”.